Growing up in New Jersey, Anthony Sarao knew nothing about the team he chose every time he played a college football video game. He didn't know the names of No. 1 or No. 5 — representing Trojans receiver Mike Williams and running back Reggie Bush — but he knew that they had big gains or scored touchdowns every time he passed the virtual ball in their direction. "I didn't know who they were because I'm on the East Coast," Sarao explains. "But we started to know once Reggie kept being on ESPN.

The NFL hasn't lost a star or two, it has lost a constellation. A slew of injuries Sunday either ended the seasons or severely hampered a host of prominent players, among them St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford, Houston linebacker Brian Cushing and Indianapolis receiver Reggie Wayne, all of whom will sit out the rest of the season because of knee injuries. Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler is out at least a month because of a torn groin muscle. Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley remained in the hospital Monday because of a neck injury, and his football future is uncertain.

The stadium lights of the Rose Bowl burn bright in Brian Cushing's mind. They should. The senior has played under them six times while at USC. But there's something about the postseason. When the longhaired linebacker took the historic Pasadena field Thursday, it marked the fourth start of his USC Rose Bowl career. "Four years -- so much up-and-down joy," a dirt-stained Cushing said after USC beat Penn State, 38-24.

After a while, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga stopped watching the NFL draft. "Friends would text me and I'd feel the phone vibrate," Maualuga said in a phone interview Saturday from his home in Eureka, Calif. "I thought, 'It's cool, I'm getting picked.' Then I'd say, 'Dang.' " Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Maualuga were expected to become the first trio of players from the same unit to be picked in the first round.

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga is a hitter not a hittee, so it's somewhat appropriate that the weight of this reality has not fully struck him: Life as he knows it is about to change. "I guess it really hasn't sunk in yet that tomorrow will be my last day as a college athlete," Maualuga said in a phone interview Thursday from his home in Eureka, Calif. "It's strange to think it's over." Over, and just beginning.

No. 9 USC (6-1, 3-1 ) at No. 5 Oregon (6-1, 3-1) Today, noon, Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore. TV: FSN Prime Ticket. Radio: 710, 1330 1Poised passers. USC's Mark Sanchez needs to keep his cool and not be unnerved by the noise and the pressure to play mistake-free for the second week in a row. Oregon's Dennis Dixon must keep the Trojans off balance with runs and passes and must avoid the interceptions that hurt the Ducks in a 31-24 loss to California. 2Got your back.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Landon Donovan's 58th goal for the U.S. national team in the 78th minute doubled the Americans' lead over Mexico to 2-0 and moved the team a big step closer to next summer's World Cup in Brazil. Eddie Johnson's goal early in the second half, off a perfect service from Donovan, accounted for the first U.S. goal. A victory over Mexico, combined with a win or draw by Honduras in its late game with Panama, would lock up a World Cup invitation for the Americans.

Green Bay (2-3) at Houston (5-0) Time: 5:15 PDT. TV: Channel 4 Story line: Green Bay has stumbled through the replacement refs' gaffe in Seattle, a blown 18-point lead in Indianapolis and the surprising drop in play by QB Aaron Rodgers. He's been sacked 21 times, RB Cedric Benson is lost to injury, and WR Greg Jennings and TE Jermichael Finley are sore. The Texans also suffered a big loss. Tackles leader Brian Cushing is out with a torn knee ligament. Packers said: "We clearly have ¿ higher expectations of ourselves.

As expected, International Olympic Committee members elected Thomas Bach of Germany as their new president. Bach had been considered the favorite going into Tuesday's vote at the IOC session in Buenos Aires. "Thank you very much to all of you," Bach said. "Let us, this great universal orchestra of IOC members, play together in harmony towards a bright future for the Olympic Movement. " Bach replaces Jacques Rogge, whose 12-year tenure ends at the close of the session. The IOC elects its president by secret ballot, handing him an eight-year term followed by the possibility of a four-year term.